A: Technically, yes - that would be correct. However, for the purposes of this blog, the "Tony Awards" are an annual publication of a) the films released during the previous calendar year that I have seen b) a top-10 list of my favorite films of the year, and c) a 10-category award ceremony.
Q: The "Tony Awards" sound reminiscent of the Golden Globe and Academy Awards, which aired on January 13th and February 24th, respectively - aren't you a tad late to the party?
A: No. In fact, I would argue I am still quite early. The ability to withstand the test of time is the only true measure of artistic reverence. Which films released in 2012 will be admired for generations to come? Hint: No one knows.
Critiquing contemporary cinema has long proven asinine. Just think - once a decade since 1952, the lauded British publication "Sight & Sound" has published a list of the 10 greatest films of all time, and not once has the preeminent picture (Bicycle Thieves, Citizen Kane, and Vertigo - for the curious reader) been a recipient of either the Golden Globe or Academy Award for Best Picture. Conversely, when have you last seen Shakespeare in Love or Slumdog Millionaire? Despite garnering the Best Picture Oscar, these films (and countless others) have quickly faded from public conscience.
Using time as the litmus test for greatness allows for perception to evolve. Revered horror classics The Night of the Hunter (1955) and Psycho (1960) were originally dismissed by critics as offensive and gratuitous. Even It's a Wonderful Life struggled for decades to connect with general audiences - released 15 months following V-J Day, the film was deemed too depressing, too sentimental, and even too Communist (don't blame a rich banker, George Bailey!).
The 1st Annual "Tony Awards"
a) the films released during the previous calendar year that I have seen
c) a 10-category award ceremony
Critiquing contemporary cinema has long proven asinine. Just think - once a decade since 1952, the lauded British publication "Sight & Sound" has published a list of the 10 greatest films of all time, and not once has the preeminent picture (Bicycle Thieves, Citizen Kane, and Vertigo - for the curious reader) been a recipient of either the Golden Globe or Academy Award for Best Picture. Conversely, when have you last seen Shakespeare in Love or Slumdog Millionaire? Despite garnering the Best Picture Oscar, these films (and countless others) have quickly faded from public conscience.
Using time as the litmus test for greatness allows for perception to evolve. Revered horror classics The Night of the Hunter (1955) and Psycho (1960) were originally dismissed by critics as offensive and gratuitous. Even It's a Wonderful Life struggled for decades to connect with general audiences - released 15 months following V-J Day, the film was deemed too depressing, too sentimental, and even too Communist (don't blame a rich banker, George Bailey!).
The 1st Annual "Tony Awards"
a) the films released during the previous calendar year that I have seen
b) a top-10 list of my favorite films of the year
c) a 10-category award ceremony
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